Tracy Hodge
Nearly Half of Illinois Customers Unaware of Ability to Choose Lower Electric Rate
A recent survey of Illinois customers reveals that nearly half are unaware of their ability to shop for a competing electric supplier that can offer them a lower electric rate . According to a poll conducted by Kelton Research, which surveyed customers at Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, only 54% of respondents were aware that they have a choice of which electricity provider to use. Illinois has offered customers at ComEd and Ameren the right to choose their electric supplier since 1997, to provide customers with a tool to save money on their electric bills . Illinois business customers can save 20-30% on their electric rate — with no change in reliability or service — just by choosing a new electric supplier rather than the utility, which will continue to deliver this electricity over the utility’s wires. Residential customers can save 10-15%. Many customers, however, especially among small and medium-sized businesses,
Energy Savings – Appliance and Electronic Efficiency
Could you imagine life without your refrigerator, washer or television? These appliances have become staples of the American home and we rely on these modern conveniences every day. Appliances and electronics comprise more than 20 percent of the energy you use. You can reduce this expense by starving yourself, washing clothes by hand, or reading a book by candlelight, or consider an easier alternative; using your appliances and electronics as wisely and efficiently as possible. Appliances Wash and dry only full loads of clothes. Use cold water instead of hot water, if possible, when washing clothes. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load to improve the unit’s efficiency. Use dryer balls to lift and separate laundry items, allowing hot air to circulate more effectively and reduce drying time. Save the cleaning chores until after dark . Dishwashers, washers and dryers emit heat, raising the temperature in your
Stay Cool this Summer – AC Maintenance Tips
Temperatures are climbing and the hot weather is here to stay! The key to staying cool all summer long is a properly maintained air conditioning system. Proper air conditioning maintenance can not only help keep you cool during these hot summer months, it can also save you money. You should schedule and perform annual pre-season air conditioner maintenance. Your AC maintenance should include the following activities: Check air filters – You should check and change your filters on a monthly basis, if necessary. Dirty air filters will restrict air flow and can potentially damage your heating and cooling equipment. Adjust thermostat settings – As the seasons change, your indoor air temperature preferences will change too. Inspect and clean the condensate drain – A blockage here can increase indoor humidity levels, or worse, cause water damage. Clean evaporator and condensing coils – Dirty coils reduce energy efficiency and make your equipment
PPL Customers Hit Hard By Rate Increase
Business customers at PPL Electric Utilities in Pennsylvania are being hit hard by the rate hike that went into effect June 1, but can drastically cut their electric bill by shopping for a competing energy supplier at SaveOnEnergy.com . LndAs we noted back in May, most small and mid-sized business customers at PPL who don’t shop for power started paying over 13¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity effective June 1 — an increase of 33%. However, an even bigger rate hike occurred for those business customers served on PPL’s optional Time of Use rates (G1V, G3V-TOU). During the winter, many customers opted onto PPL’s Time of Use rates because, due to an anomaly in how the power was procured, the winter rates were artificially below market, at 7.5 cents on-peak, and 6.1 cents off-peak. However, these Time of Use rates spiked on June 1 as well, and are now substantially
Beat the Heat
Summer temperatures are heating up. Hotter temperatures mean higher electric bills and heat related injuries. Protect yourself and your pockets with these tips to beat the heat, both indoors and out. Save Energy The largest cost for most of us during the summer is cooling our homes with the air conditioner. Keeping homes cool with temperatures reaching 100 degrees without breaking the bank can prove to be a difficult task. Doing the little things can make a big difference in energy savings. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees – When you’re not at home, turn it up to about 83 or 84 degrees. Install a programmable thermostat . Change the air filter according to your manufactures directions. A clean air filter will prevent your AC from having to work too hard. Only use ceiling fans to cool the room when you are in it. Turn it off when you leave
Prevent Home Electrical Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire departments across the nation responded to more than 480,500 home-structure fires in 2009. One of the main causes of residential fires was electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Of the home electrical fires during that period, 41 percent involved such equipment. Some culprits of those fires were: Wiring and related equipment Lamps, light fixtures and lightbulbs Cords and plugs Transformers and AC adapters Other potential electrical fire hazards include kitchen ranges, washers or dryers, fans and space heaters. Fires involving electrical distribution or lighting equipment caused about $709 million in direct damages according to the NFPA statistics. 72 percent of electrical-distribution or lighting-equipment fires happened because of electrical failure or malfunction. While electrical failure or malfunction can cause home-structure fires, there are some preventive measures you can take to limit your risk. Take the following measures to avoid electrical shock and fire
CFLs: Are They Worth It?
CFLs: Questions, concerns and answers about those curly, energy-efficient bulbs The incandescent light bulb has been the global standard for electric lighting for more than a century. But those days are numbered as more efficient lighting options become available and the federally mandated “lightbulb law” phases out the sale of incandescent bulbs by 2014. There are lots of concerns about the safety and expense of the most common alternate lighting technology- compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) – which typically last longer than equivalent incandescent bulbs and use a fraction of the energy. Around 12 percent of home energy use is devoted to lighting and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to CFLs can provide significant savings on your electric bill. Here are some common concerns about CFLs and some facts that may allay them: CFLs cost too much. The price of a CFL, which sold for $9 more than
How SaveOnEnergy.com Finds New Jersey Customers the Lowest Electric Rate
New Jersey has opened up its electric industry to competition, allowing competing “third party suppliers” to offer you lower rates for your electric supply. For business customers, savings of 20-30% are available by choosing a competing energy supplier . Additionally, choosing an alternative energy provider protects large New Jersey customers from the volatile “hourly” prices they would pay if they bought their power supplies from the utility. However, shopping for a competing electric supplier is still a new concept to many New Jersey businesses, especially small and mid-sized businesses who don’t have specific procurement managers. That’s where SaveOnEnergy.com comes in, by making finding the lowest electric rate quick and easy. Only SaveOnEnergy.com offers New Jersey commercial and industrial customers the opportunity to have up to eight energy suppliers compete directly, head-to-head, to win the customer’s business. Through its exclusive commercial exchange portal, SaveOnEnergy.com leverages New Jersey customers ‘ power to
Energy Saving Tips While on Vacation
Warmer weather means picnics, barbecues and summer vacations. If you’re heading out of town for summer vacation or even a weekend getaway, save a few dollars by taking some basic steps to save money and energy at home. From lighting to air conditioning, turning electronic equipment off or down can save energy and money. Your air conditioner doesn’t need to run while the home is vacant. Consider turning the air conditioner off, or at least adjust the thermostat to maximize savings. Set your programmable thermostat at a higher temperature to save money on what could be your largest single energy expense. Electronics with digital displays and standby power settings, such as digital clocks, TVs, DVD players, stereos and coffeemakers, should be unplugged to prevent phantom energy use. These electronic appliances even when turned off utilize a small amount of electricity. Phantom loads add up to a huge waste of electricity
Illinois Businesses Can Find Lower Electric Rates Versus New ComEd, Ameren Rates Effective June 1
Commonwealth Edison and Ameren are adjusting their electric rates on June 1 as called for annually. Although the new utility rates for small business and residential customers are lower than the current rates, the rates are still higher than what customers can find in the market by shopping for a lower priced electric supplier . SaveOnEnergy.com can lower Illinois customers’ electric bills by finding these lower rates, and forcing competing energy suppliers to undercut each other to win your business. Medium and large business customers at both ComEd and Ameren no longer receive a flat rate for their Illinois electricity from the utility, as they are instead subjected to volatile hourly pricing unless they choose an alternative retail electric supplier . These volatile hourly rates are not affected by the June 1 rate change. However, small business and residential customers may still receive a flat rate from the utility that